Abstract: A surgical retractor blade is attached to a ratchet handle with a ball and socket joint to move with more than one degree of freedom. The surgical retractor blade can be removably attached to the handle through either a slot on the handle or a clamping mechanism attached to the handle by the ball and socket joint. In the case of the slot, the surgical retractor blade has a shaft with a first diameter narrower than the slot and a second diameter wider than the slot. The blade is turned one way for attachment and removal and another way to secure it to the handle for use.

Abstract: A swinger clamp is clamped onto a horizontal guide rail and supports a vertical bar to hold various devices during surgical procedures. The clamp has a damper jaw that abuts a rim. To prevent the rim from drifting in its rotational position relative to the clamping jaw, a groove is formed in the rim to engage with the damper jaw.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder, adapted to be received and retained by an operating room table clamping apparatus is disclosed. The inventive holder is particularly suited for adjustably mounting and stabilizing a laparoscope, endoscope or similar instrument which has an elongated shaft. The holder comprises a clamping assembly mounted at one end of the holder for holding the shaft of the instrument. The clamping assembly includes a pair of movable jaws adapted for being closed about the shaft of the instrument. Means carried by another end of the holder for cooperating with the operating room table clamping apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A retractor is provided for use in performing a surgical procedure such as correcting the morbid obesity of a patient. The retractor incorporates a blade section and a handle section protruding from a first peripheral segment of the blade section. The blade section includes a first portion connected to the handle section and an elongate second portion extending angularly from the first portion. The second portion is provided with an elongate open end slot extending from a distal end of the second portion and terminating in the vicinity of a juncture between the first and second portions. The slot forms the blade section second portion into a pair of finger-elements. Each element has a first surface which is adapted to engage a perimetrical segment of an incision made in the patient during the surgical procedure.